Safety device for controlling the breaking of electric circuits of ignition systems



Oct. 5 1926. 1,602,074

E BREAKING OF ELECTRIC CIRCUITS OF IGNITION SYSTEMS F. HENKE 3Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 26, 1924 SAFETY DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THWITNE55 1,602,074 F. SAFETY DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE BREAKING 0FELECTRIC Oct. 5 1926.

HENKE CIRCUITSOF IGNITION SYSTEMS Filed July 26, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 wrrA/Ess HTTOPNEYS F; HENKE FOR CONTRGLLING THE BREAKING OF ELECTRICCIRCUITS OF IGNITION SYSTEMS Filed July 26, 1924 v 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct-5 1926.

SAFETY DEVICE M15 m W I W H r 411ml. ILuJHu- 3 .5? INVENTOR- WITNESS. I"5y; 4 v

I ;rramvsys FREDERICK HENKE, OF PHILADELPHIA,

Patented Oct. 5, 1926.;

UNITED STATES H 1,602,074 ATE T OFFICE.

PENNSYLVANIA, ARSIGNOB '10 FOX AU'IO- MOTIVE PRODUCTS CORPORATION, A.CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SAFETY Davies non CONTROLLING THE BREAKING or ELECTRIC cmcum's orIoNrrxoN sysrnns. I

,Applictition filed July 26, 1924. Serial 1N0.- 728,84;5.

Heretofore it has been common practice to lock the steering wheels ofautomobiles in two ways, namely, by (1) mechanisms n which the lockingbolt or barrel is'mounted in or rigid with the stationary steering posta recess in aand is movable into and out of suitable .member rigid withand movable with the steering wheel and (2') in which the lock, bolt orbarrel is carried by the steering wheel or is connected with thesteeringwheel to move therewith, and is movable into and out of a recessin acoaeting member stationary with respect to the steering wheel preferablyconnected to or mounted within the steering column or casing.

Thepresent invention relates to a device which ina be used with eitherof the abovementione types of locks, although it is particularlydesigned and adapted for use in connection with the second type of lockabove referred to. i

The object of myinvention is to provide a devicewhich will indicate bythe running or non-running of the engine whether the steering wheel islocked.

A "further object of myinvention is to provide the ignition circuits ofan automopro'vide a satetv bile or a similar device with a switch whichcan only be operated to break the ignition circuit or circuits when thecar is locked and which will maintain the running or ignition circuit orcircuits closed, so long as the car is unlocked, so that the engine,having once been started, cannot be stopped, until the car is locked.

A further object of my invention is to prevent an operator of a motorcar from breaking the ignition circuit or circuits, to stop theoperation of the engine, without first locking the car.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device which willindicate that the car is in an unlocked condition by reason of the factthat the engine, having once been started, is still running.

A' further object of my invention is to device wliich will coopcratewith a locking bolt of a steering wheel lock whether the boltrot-ateswith the steering wheel or is stationary with respect thereto.

A further object of my invention is to vmake it mandatory upon anoperator of a motor car to lock the car in order to' break the ignitioncircuit or circuits,

,.A.further object of my invention is to' provide a switch stationarilyositioned with respect" to the steering whee the operation of which iscontrolled by thelocking bolt of a steering wheel look, even"thoughfsaid bolt may move with respect to said switch; and may be lockedin any one of a plurality of dililferent positions with respect to saidswitc Y A further object of my invention is to" provide'a small, simple,unobtrusive device which will not interfere with the free move ment ofthe steering wheel nor be in the way of any of the othermechanisms withwhichan automobile is usually equipped.

Further objects of my invention will appear in the specification andclaims below. I

In the drawings forming a part ofv this specification and in which thesame reference characters are employed throughout the various views todesignate the same parts, I have illustrated one embodiment of myinvention as applied to and cooperating with a steering wheel locking anautomoble wherein the locking bolt is mounted in and moves with thesteering wheel.

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of my invention applied to the top of thesteering gear casing or steering post or column, spokes of the steeringwheel, with the locking barrel mounted therein, being shown, thesteering wheel being in unlocked-condition.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but with the wheel locked withrespect to the steering p Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of theconstruction shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the construction shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 shows the parts in the positions in which they preferably'are instarting the engine. I

Fig. 6 is a fragmentaryside elevational view of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a rear elevational view of the switch inwhich the parts arepreferably in the positions assumed when the engine is normally runningon the magneto circuit.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view of the op-' erative parts of the switchjust prior to the the hub and the f the switch in the one direction andth t position is'preferable with the battery circuit closed, as" in"-starting. Fi 11 is a'view' somewhat similar to Fig.

,7 showing the switch elements in' the positions about to break abattery circuit and.

closing the magneto circuit. 15

Fig. 12 shows the position of the parts at the instant of closingthemagneto circuit and Fig. 13 shows the parts at the limits of theirmovements in the opposite direction to that shown in Fig. 11 and withboth circuits roken. j Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the controllerring by the movement of which the switch is thrown and whichco-operating with, the barrel of the lock is operative to prevent thebreaking of the ignition circuits so long as the car is in unlockedcon-- dition.

1 Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of the top of the steering columnand a. fragmentary view of the controller ring show ng the ring in itsuppermost position in which the ignition circuit or circuits are broken.I

Fig. 16 is a fragmentary view of a-posltionin device carried by thecontroller ring whereby the ring may be held in normal running positionwithout liability of accidental movement therefrom due, for instance, tothe vibration of the engine. In- Figs. 15 and 16 two of the positions inwhich 4 the ring may be thus held are shown. 3

Fig. 17 is a sectional view of a detail. I

Within the steering g'eartubing or column 1 of an automobile is mountedthe steering shaft or post 2 and at the top of the column 1 is secured asuitable casing 3 in which are housed the gearing (not shown) betweenthe steering wheel shaft 4 and the steering shaft 2. The gearing is ofusual and ordinary construction, such as is found in a Ford automobile,and a further description thereof isnot deemed necessary. Also withinthe casing 3 which is fixed and stationary with respect to the steeringcolumn or casing 1, is a lock-bolt-receiving member 5 rigidly fastenedto the column 1 or casing 3 and having aplurality of recesses or sockets6 into any one of which the inner end of the locking belt or barrel 7 isinserted to lock the steering wheel and out of which the said bolt iswithdrawn to unlock the wheel. The locking barrel 7 is preferablymounted in :1 lug or projection 8 on the hub 9 of the steering wheel 10;The upper end 3' of the casing is preferably cylindrical and isconcentrio with the axis of the steering wheel.

The lock proper, which comprises the bolt receivlng member 5 andthelocking barrel 7 1* may be of usual construction and I preferably soarrange it so that when the barrel 7 Y is pushed into the hub 9with itsinner end seated in one of the, recesses or sockets 6, the

outer end is flushwith the outer side of the lug 8'and well below orwithin the plane of the cylindrical surface 3 of the hub 9 and when thebarrel 7 is pulled engage the inner end thereof from a recess oroutwardly to dis-' socket 6, the outer end of the barrel projects wellbeyond said cylindrical surface. These locks are usually and preferablyarranged so that the key 1.1 may not be withdrawn except when the barrel7 is in the locked .or in the unlocked position. The top ofthe steeringgear tubing or column ,1 is preferably pro vided with a spot orprojection. 12 having a substantially flat vertical surface 13 to whichmay be attached the housing 14 of an electric switch mechanism.

The switch housing 14 is preferably provided on its inner or rear side,with a flat surface 15 adapted to fit squarely against the flat surface13 of the projection 12 and to be secured thereto by screws 16 passingthrough holes 17 in the housing and threaded into the boss or'projection 12. Fitting around the cylindrical surface 3' of the casing 3is a controller ring 18 provided with a series of inclined slots 19therethrough in which fit the 'studs, or screws 20 rigidly threaded intothe cylindricalsurface 3 of i the casing 3. The ring is also preferablyprovided with a horizontal slot 21 into which the operating lever of theswitch, to be later described, is loosely fitted. The ring 18 is alsopreferably provided with a handle 22' by means of which the ring may begiven a rotative .movement about the axis of the steering post 2. Whenthe handle 22 is moved to rotate the ring in one direction, the

ring also rises, due to the'engagement of the studs 20 with the inclinedslots 19, and when" it is turned'in the opposite direction, the

ring also falls or moves downwardly for the same reason. v

The front side of the switch housing or block 14 is prefergbly providedwith a marginal. ridge or wall 23 preferably continuous except at theunder or lower side thereof where it may be interrupted to provide apassage 24 for the wires of the electric circuits. The screws 16preferably pass through this thickened portion of the casing in order toprovide rigidity to the connection of the mounting of the housing uponthe casing 3. On the front side of the block or housing 14 and Withinthe marginal wall or ridge 23 are three binding posts 25, 26, 27, towhich are respectively connected the wires 28, 29, 30 of the electriccircuits. The binding post 25 is preferably connected by wire 28 to themagneto and is therefore in the magneto ig ition circuit, Th

post 26 is preferably connected by wire 29 to the battery and istherefore in the battery or' starting circuit and the binding post 27,

cured thereto by screws the controller ring ably grounded to which iselectrically connected with the movable contact 31 of the switch, ispreferthe machine by wire v3O.

' The block or housing 14 is preferably molded and is of'some insulatingmaterial, such as bakelite and the front side thereof is preferablyclosed with a metal cover 32 which may rest upon the top or outersurface of the marginal wall or ridge 23 and is se- 33. 'P'referably,however, a sheet 34 of insulating material is interposed between themetal cover 23 and thehousing 14 so that theremay.v be no acbetweeri anyof thebindwith a consequent short circuit of the switch.

The inner surface of the block or housing 14 above the fiat surface 15thereof is pref-- erably cylindrically concave to lie close to but outof contact with the outer surface of 18. In a recess 35 in the rear ofthe block or housing-14 are mounted the circuit makingand breakingelements of the switch and the mechanism for operating the same. Themain or operating lever 36 is pivotally mounted to turn on. a pin 37electrically connected to the binding post 27 and is provided with aradially extending arm 38 provided, near the outer end thereof, with ametal pin 39 adapted, when the device is properly assembled, to enterand loosely fit between the upper and lower walls of the horizontal slot21 ofthecontroller ring 18. There is preferably considerable backlashbetween the pin 39 and the slot 21 as will be again referred to below.This pin 39' should be carefully insulated from the main or operatinglever 36. Thus, the pin 39 may be rigidly seated in a core 40 ofinsulating material encased in the hollow cylindrical end of a stud 41which inturn is riveted or otherwise rigidly secured to the end of thelever 36, and an insulating washer 42 is preferably interposed betweenthe pin 39 and the end of the stud 41, said washer being of a diameterto fully and completelycover the cation between the lever metallic endof the stud 41. It will thus be seen that although the pin 39 may be ofmetal and may enter the slot 21 of the metal ring 18, there can be no 36and the ring '18.

The operating" lever 36 is also provided with a heart-shapecam 43 forcooperation with a lever 44 pivoted on a pivot pin 45 secured to theblock or housing 14 in the bottom of the recess This lever 44 ispreferably provided with a. relatively sharp edge 46 over which thepointed end 47 of the heart-shaped cam 43 must pass in swinging the arm31 from one circuit closing poelectrical communi-.

sitiemto another, in its swingabout the t pivot pin 37.

Also pivotally mounted to rotate on the pin: 37 is the movable contact[arm 31, the

and the other end of which is connected. .to

' outer-end- ,Ofwhich is adapted to, successively heart shaped a stud orpin extending fron thc bottom of the recess 35. r 1 Having nowdescribed-with particularity the construction of the mechanism whichembodies my invention the operation thereof is as follows, referringparticularly to 6 to'12 inclusive: f

In Figs. 1, 3, 6 and 7 the parts are in what will be termed normalrunning position, and where the ignition circuits of'an automobileinclude a battery circuit motor, and a magneto ignition circuit fornormal running conditions, thefstationary contact point 48 willpreferably be in the" magneto ignition circuit, this circuit beingclosed through stationary contact point 48, fi1ovable contact point31-to pin 37, binding post 27 wire 30 to ground. In this position thelocking barrel 17 will be withdrawn to'its outermost position as shownin Figs. 1, 3 and 6 so that the barrel 7 is above and isin the path ofthe full vertical movement of the controller ring 18. The handle 22'(see Fig. 1) may now not be moved further in. an anticlockwise directionbecause such a movement slightly lifting the ring 18, would bring itimmediately into engagement with the underside of the barrel 7. In otherwords the barrel 7 projecting into the path of the verticalfmovement ofthe controller ring 18 prevents the ring from being lifted higher thanthe position shown in Fig. 7.

the wire 28, bindingpost 2,5,

for starting the 1 The running icircuit may not, therefore, be 3controller ring 18 rigid therewith, so

moved. As the ring 18 is thus rotated. from the posit-ion shown in Fig.7 to that shown in Fig. 8, it also moves downwardly, due to theengagement of the stationary studs 20 with the inclined-slots 19, andthe point 47 of the heart-shaped cam 43 approaches the sharp edge 46 ofthe lever 44 forcing the ning circuit see Fig.

lever 44 outwardly in an anticlockwise direction about its pivot pin 45and against the tension of the spring 53. Because the movable contactarm 31 is moved by the engagement of the pin 50 with the wall of thehole or opening 51 in the heart-shaped cam and because the hole is ofconsiderably larger diambter than the diameter of the pin 50, themovable contactarm 31 lags or drags somewhat behind. the heart-shapedcam 43 and remains in electrical contact with the stationary contact 48in the magneto or run- 8).' As soon, however, as the sharp point 47 oftheheart-shaped cam 43 passes over the sharp edge 46 of the lever 44,the spring 53 acting against the underside of the heart-shaped-cam, andby reason of the basklash between the pin 39 and the slot-21, snaps orjumps the lever 36,

instantaneously, tow the position shown in Fig. 9 bringing the pin 39against the lower edge of the slot 21. This backlash is'suiiieient topermit the spring to throw the movable'contact arm into engagement withthe stationary contact oint 49. This movement of the arm 31 is enstantially'instantaneous.

-The arm jumps instantly from the contact point 48 in the magnetoignition circuit to the contact point 49 of the battery or startingcircuit. So rapid is this movement that there is practically nointerruption in the supply of current to the spark plugs. The operatorcannot hold the arm 31 between and out of'contact with both points 48and 49.

- As soon as the sharp edge 47 passes over the edge .46 the springinstantly throws the switch, the flow of current to the spark plugs willbe practically'continuous and the engine will not stop. The operator maynot stop the'engine by throwing the switch from the magneto circuit tothe battery circuit.

the ring 18 in a clockwise direction from the inging the parts to theposition shown in I Fig. 10 with the movable contact point 31 still inengagement with the contact point 49.

And the operator may reverse the above operation without stopping theengine. Thus, with the parts in the position shown in Fig. 10 he mayrotate the handle 22 and the ring connected therewith in ananticlockwise direct-ion and the ring will rise to the position shown inFig. 10 turning the main or operating lever 36 to the position shown inFig. 11 due to the engagement of the pin '39 with the slot 21. In Fig.11 the sharp end 47 of the heart-shaped cam 43 is approaching but hasnot passed over the sharp edge 46 of the lever 44 and the movablecontact arm 31 will drag behind the cam and remain in engagement withthe battery contact point 49. \Vhen, however, the sharp point 47 passesover the sharp -7 protrudes into the ment of the ring.

in an anticlockwise direction edge 46 the spring 53 will immediatelyand'this movement will be suificient to instantaneously move or snap themovable contact point 31 into electrical contact with the magnetocontact point 48. This movement is so quick that current to the sparkplugs is substantially uninterrupted when the primary current is thusswitched from battery to magneto and the engine will continue to run. Asabove stated, the ring 18 may not be moved any higher than the posi- 7so long as the barrel tion shown in Fig.

vertical path of move To stop his engine, therefore, the operator mustturn the key 11, push the barrel 7 inwardly until it seats in one of therecesses 6 of the stationary locking member 5, turning the key, lock thebarrel in such position, and

withdraw the key. Now the key and the barrel 7 are out of the path ofthe vertical movement of the controller ring 18, whereupon the operatormay now move the handle 22 and the controller ring rigid therewith fromthe position shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 13. Thismovement is not interrupted by the barrel 7. The barrel is out of theway of the vertical plate of the controller ring 18, and the said ringmay be moved to its highest position shown in Fig. 13. This movementwill carry the movable contact point 31 out of engagement with thecontact point 48 to break the circuit. No current being now supplied tothe spark plugs, the

. engine will stop. 'Any further movement of the handle 22 and Afterhaving thus locked the machine and stopped his engine, the operator maystart his engine by turning the handle 22 and the controller ring 18 ina clockwise direction and preferably to bring the parts from thepositlon shown in Fig. 13 to that shown in Fig. 10 with the batterycircuit closed. He may now start his engine on the'battery circuit andthe top edge of the controller ring being out of the path of the outwardmovement of the barrel 7, he may withdraw the barrel 7, thus unlockingthe steering wheel.

In order that the top edge of the controller ring 18 may not actuallycontact against the underside of the barrel 7 while the car is beingoperated, I preferably provide the seated a ball 56 spring pressedinwardly by a leaf spring 57, and I preferably provide the cylindricalsurface 3 of the cap 3 with a recess 58 into which this hall 56 dropsjust before the top edge of the underside of the barrel 7; that is tosay,

ring 18 with a small'opening 55 in which is the ring 18 engages springsfi'imay be-qprovided iwlthi; a

. be bent which the ignition-circuits he has not lockedrit;

-may beinmomma.

the ba1156 is inrithe reeesai5 are in. the -;positioln;=shown; i

second recess; 59:- into which thl ba PositidnL henthecar. isloc ring 18inlay not ab eic'i iicclde ntfiliyjitfi close either. of lfthe ignitionscircuit's's.

1r s therethroughi 2' to ipositiom ithezbidli amespecttheretoie a It isquite neeessaryxthatithegendofithee movable contact-rarmqfl which? isippe fi'm 11.

tact points .48--1a11d-;49$-to@:makescertainnthee closure 1 of the:circuits Inaordeerthatithee arm '31 may be.- easiiy bent. orasprnnggddwne wardiiy to :bea-r ;,-w-ith"i,esucih ;pressmxaeon2 :thi?stationary-contact pointsel provides anemone 14 with} a=ho1e 60;,opposi-tea-theeposition: the arm: in: circuitiai'eakingziconditionga(sees Fig, 13),; In; this positions the arm; :31- limayg: down; with arod: or gscrewdni ver into; i

steeringggeamcolnmn thezppntssmightgrhowever;'beiattacheditotbothlcontact I a.,tozavoidfany=,mo,dification1 pomtssSf-iandrr-the-structurewhatever;-

Hivifigithhsi chiimianddeSixiaktozproteet by Letters 1Eat.-v

" ssafety dvie for-ianrautomobiley v aasteeringgwheel, a. ,aanzelctric'switch; and

1.2.1 o the combinations w-1 as. manualiyymovables member mountedonescribed jmysinvention; what said? columns foe: operating :said}switch to earned said-1, when and; aextendi'ngi into the pg-thiofimovement-0tjsaid 'manualiyfmov ablememben whenever saidi-wheelisunlocked torppeventijtheibreaking of sai, a ignition, circuitiw-hil' ePet, whenisai;

QQuIm-XaQSA'ety steeringmheeliicolnmn aqisnap syvitchihavingtensionitherelm-i This construction-is sefnl'ii member cooperatmgg:therewith; and a in making -the- 0r1g1nahiadjustment thee manualmovableimemberimountedIon-said the engine is:not1fce:to:-ti tonith'athe; has notilocked the 'cari It @W e2a1sonobserved that I have. provideddevice-in mayrnot 'bBxbiO-- ken so long: as the ,car is unlookedi? even:though. theciock for: 1ocking;;;the-wsteering. wheel be one a in whicirt-h'e locking b'arreldiflle'rent *PQSitiOIlSrWitih respect the axis oithe steeringswheeh whlen" the can is locked-. Aithough they; locking-'5bur-B1? moves with thesteer-mgWhe 1 ,the;safetyj-;de+;= vice abovedescribed: wilii jcooperate vwith the s locking; barrel onzb'olti namemanner rab'ovei: described to prevent the interruptiomo the; ignitioncurrent soi long; as the =3 carris' sun's locked-.1; a

I havex described'l a; constructiomw-h'ereim there 1 are two ignition:circuits,-:one o :which; is the magneto: circuit and the otherotliv-hich isthe battery-circuit: Vixen,- however, the ignition circuitoith'ercarv is, a single circuit; 5 such as a 1battery ,circuit;-.thee-battery would? preferably-be attached to the stationary contactpoint 48rinsteadiof ito'thestationary icont Y tact *point 49':andisian-y';downwardrmovement of the controllervring beyondsubstant1a1iy the position showniinz'r igt 7' mi ht ibezlmnta edin anysuitabie manneri Theatterygwmea tinnnwheieeit Lise;automaticaHysnappeand-1 ioutiot ieleletnical engagement :with said stationa'ry contaiota-,v 0t zailock for said steering gvheel comprising a bolt @carried by saidwheel-and; extending-into: the path of'movement; got"gsaid'Emanual1-:movab1e1 member so long as.said-wheel is b'reakin got isaidignitionrcircuit and out of the pati iiofithewmovement of said memberwhen said-i iwh'eel is locked;

3;- In; asafety devlce foria $100k the com binationofaa reiativelymovable member, a

relatively stationary part, an; e ectric. switch a makendiib'm'akiitheeigpitionzicircuit; of: a: ldclliittrinthesteeringgwheekincluding a bolta dazmovable'r contact zunlockedl toq prevent thedeviceifoman; automobi1e,-. the acombmatmnn w th?" a; steering -;wh'ee1,a

mounted. onasaidwrelativelyystationary part" and 'havingga stationarycontact point, and andfi'a manually a imovable contact point operablemember mountedon said stationary art for ,mmYing sai'di movable contactpoint Hit-O: and iout :01: ngagement withisaid stationary said movabieamember-.@ to said; stationary membemand: comprising:; a :bolt carried bysaidi movable member extending; into i the path ofmovement of said Inanual-lyrmovable Y member, whenever, said flock is'-,un1ock'ed tothebreaking. of said: ignition circuit? and out of the. path, ofi'movement of 1 prevent said manually; movable; member when said movablemember-is 1ocked tosaid fstati'onary;

member, a v

4;; In a; safety; device 2 ion an? automobile,

they combination with av steering; yvheei; a... steering; gear column;and an. BIQOtIIOJSWIYJCh contactipoint, of a lock: for locking:

havingqgaz w stationary contact 1 in; the w ignition:

circuit ot the automobile; aymovablecontact azmncooperatingtherewith;rand-2amanually movable (membermounted: mend column-for point in therunning 1 .tlonary contact point in operating said arm, of a lock for.the saidsteering wheel including a bolt carried by and movable with saidsteering wheel and extending into the oath of movement of said manuallymovable member whenever said wheel is unlocked to prevent the breakingof said ignition circuit and out of the path of movement of said memberwhen :said wheel is locked.

5. In' a safety device for an automobile, the combination with asteering wheel, a steering gear column, and a switch comprising astationary contact point connected with the ignition circuit of saidautomobile and mounted stationarily with respect to said wheel, amovable contact pointto make and break said circuit through saidstatlonary point, and a manually movable member carried by said columnand arranged to move said movable contact point into and out of contactwith said stationary contact point, and locking means earned by saidwheel and movable therewith andoperative to prevent the movement of saidmovable member to break said circuit so'long as said steering wheel isunlocked. v

6. In a safety device forvan automobile, the combination with a steeringwheel,;a steerin column, a'locking boltmounted 111 said w eel andmovable therewith, a bolt receiving member rigid with said column,

, an electrlc snap switch in the ignition circuit of an automobilestationarily positioned with respect. to said column, and manuallymovable means to operate said snap swltch, said bolt extending into thepath of movement of said-manually movable -means to prevent theoperation of said switch to break-- said circuit so long as said wheelis unlocked.

7. In a safety device for an automobile, the combination witha steeringwheel, an electric switch having a stationary: contact ition circuit, astathe starting ignition circuit, a movable contact point movable fromone contact point to the other to close the ignition circuit througheither stationary contact point and movable to a. position in which itis beyond and out of contact with both stationary contact points tobreak said ignition circuit, and with manually movable means to snapsaid movable contact point from one stationary contact point to theother and to said position beyond and out of engagement with both ofsaid con-' tact points, of means mg between saidstationary contactpointsout of contact wlth both of said stationary said ring when said wheel istwo stationary to prevent said mov- V able contact point from stoppingor dwellof said column and manually movable up and down on said column,an electric switch operated by said ring to make and break the ignitioncircuit, said bolt being in one of said positions in the path ofmovement of said ring, to prevent said ring from bcing moved to breaksaid circuit when said wheel is unlocked and in the other of saidpositions out of the path of movement of locked.

9. In a safety device for an automobile, the combination with a steeringwheel, a steering column, a lock bolt mounted in said wheel and movabletherewith and a bolt receiving member rigid with said column, of anelectric snap switch having two stationary contact points in theignition circuit of the automobile and a movable contact point, andmanually operable means automatically throwing said movable contact fromsaid stationary contact points to a circuit breaking position at oneside of and not'between said stationary contact points,

for normally said bolt being operative when out of engagement with saidbolt receiving member to limit the movement of said movable contactpoint to a throw from either of said stationary points to the other.

1 10.1 In a safety device for an automobile, the combination with asteering wheel, a steering column and a lock including a lock boltmounted in said wheel and movable therewith, of an electric snap switchhaving contact points in the ignition circuit of the automobile and amovable contact point, and manually operable means for normallyautomatically throwing said movable contact from said stationary contactpoints to a circuit breaking position at one side of and not betweensaid stationary contact points, unlocked to limit the movement of saidmovable contact point to a throw from either of said stationary pointstothe other.

In testimony w ereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 25th day of July,1924.

FREDERICK

